Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In California, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules established by the California Supreme Court. The California Code of Civil Procedure contains the laws relevant to civil litigation, such as the rules for filing a lawsuit, pretrial procedures, the conduct of trials, and the process for appeals. Additionally, the California Rules of Court provide further procedural guidelines for the state courts to follow. These rules cover a wide range of topics, including case management, court filings, and judicial administration. Both the Code of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Court are designed to ensure fairness and efficiency in the legal process for all parties involved in civil litigation. Federal civil cases in California, on the other hand, are subject to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern proceedings in the U.S. District Courts.